Police Implicate ’Ex-Gay’ Christian Cult Leader in Wife’s Murder

Police from Kansas City, Mo., said on Tuesday that the young leader of a Christian prayer group, which has been compared to a cult, is behind the murder of his wife, the Examiner reports.

On Oct. 30, Bethany Deaton, 27, was found dead in the back of her van with a suicide note left in her car. But not long after she was buried, one of the group's members, 23-year-old Micah Moore, came forward and told police that he killed the young woman and that her husband, 26-year old Tyler Deaton, convinced him to commit the act.

Members of the group told the Kansas City Star news that Tyler Deaton "struggled" with his homosexuality but "overcame it" calling the alleged transformation "a victory."

Moore also told the authorities that the group lived together and used "sex [as] part of their religious experience" and that several male members sexually abused Bethany Deaton over a period months.

Tyler Deaton and Bethany Deaton were only married four months when she died. Tyler Deaton reportedly allowed members of the group to drug the young woman in order to take advantage of her. When Tyler Deaton found out that his wife was planning on talking about the alleged attacks with a therapist, Moore said he became concerned she would expose him and the clan.

That's when he allegedly convinced Moore to murder her and make it look like a suicide.

According to police, Bethany Deaton's body was found in the back of her van with a plastic bag over her head and a suicide note left on the dashboard. Moore said that Tyler Deaton convinced him to kill the newlywed by telling him that he "had it in him to do it."

The Star notes that Tyler Deaton, who is regarded as the group's "spiritual leader," while he was a student at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. In 2009 the couple joined the International House of Prayer's school ministry and the group has ever since been connected to the evangelical organization.

Clerical leaders from IHOP have been trying to separate themselves from the scandal. They recently released a statement saying Tyler Deaton was mistakenly added to a list of small groups that are connected to the organization. IHOP's religious leaders said they "Deeply regret" failing to "Discern the nature of Deaton's alleged secretive, perverse, cultic practices."

Comments

Oh Jed said:, 2012-11-23 15:56:44

Well, very soon he can have all the dick his heart desires and pretend he’s a victim of circumstances.

Bob K, 2012-11-23 18:31:33

If your thoughts toward this jerk are all negative, but you think that the transsexual who murdered the mother of his 15 year old son and keeps bringing court actions for surgery, electrolysis, lawyer fees, etc is better, WHY?

Vassago, 2012-11-23 22:30:40

Yeah, don’t marry ’ex-gay’, they must be screwed up.

Oh Jed said:, 2012-11-23 23:01:42

Not I. If they’ve been proven guilty without a doubt... I’d sign a petition to batter fry ’em live and feed ’em to the lifers with gravy.

, 2012-11-25 10:11:31

As someone who grew up with his wife, I firmly believe he belongs in jail. The police still haven’t arrested him. They had only been married for two months - so, Edge, get your facts straight. This story breaks my heart and I hope Tyler gets what he deserves!!!

WayGay, 2012-11-26 08:58:54

Sad story. But once again the church is to blame. They can’t let people live as God wanted them to, but rather they way the church wants them to. And amazingly, the church is distancing itself from this sad situation. Maybe they should stop trying to control people’s lives and force them to live a fake contrary life. Maybe the church should be a bit more, what are the words... God like.